Life & Style

Photo: Meghan Markle/ Instagram

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has officially announced the launch of her long-awaited lifestyle brand, As Ever and its products. Meghan ‘Sussex’ took to social media on April 2, and she posted pictures of herself using her brand’s jams and preserves while cooking.
“We’re live! Come shop the As Ever collection I’ve poured so much love into. So excited to share this with you,” Markle wrote on Instagram. She also mentioned that each product drop will have limited stock.
Markle also posted a video featuring her mom, Doria Ragland, wherein the latter can be seen tasting a dessert that Meghan named after her daughter, Princess Lilibet. “Whipped up a special dessert with @nytcooking as we celebrate the launch of @aseverofficial today,” Markle wrote. She added, “Goodness is moments away In the meantime, enjoy the recipe for our ‘Chantilly Lili’— a delicious dessert named after our darling daughter. So, so, so good As special and sweet as she is.”
By the evening of April 2 (IST), Meghan shared that all her As Ever products were sold out in just one hour of it launch. “Our shelves may be empty, but my heart is full! We sold out in less than one hour and I can’t thank you enough…for celebrating, purchasing, sharing, and believing. It’s just the start @aseverofficial 🎉 Here we go!,” she posted along with a picture of herself, which looks in their Montecito farm.
What’s in the As Ever collection?

Photo: Meghan Markle/ Instagram

Markle’s first product launch includes food items like: Jams and preserves, limited-edition wildflower honey with honeycomb, Herbal teas, Crepe mix, Shortbread cookies with flower sprinkles, among others.
Meghan Markle’s As Ever products seems to be an extension of her lifestyle show ‘With Love, Meghan‘ which was aired this year. Meanwhile, Meghan has shared that a second season of the show will be out soon. Meghan, who is married to UK’s Prince Harry, has also announced a podcast of her own.
For the unversed, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married in 2018 and in 2020 they shocked the world by announcing that they are officially stepping down from their royal duties. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, then moved to Montecito, California where they now live with their two children: Archie and Lilibet.
What are your views on Meghan turning an entrepreneur? Tell us in the comments below.

Weight loss is often viewed as an easy formula that comprises consuming less and exercising more, but in reality, it is far more complicated. Many deal with issues that have nothing to do with diet and exercise, such as emotional eating, metabolic variations, way of life practices, and health conditions like ADHD.
Consistency is the key, but hurdles such as cravings, stress, and too much choice make staying on track almost impossible. Sustainable weight loss is not about being perfect—it’s about being aware of personal challenges and uncovering effective approaches. For most, getting past these obstacles is the actual overhaul, not necessarily the number on the scale.
One such case is that of fitness coach Emma Hooker. Fitness and nutrition coach Emma Hooker has been an inspiration to many with her remarkable 72-kilos weight loss journey. She has revealed how ADHD affected her food choices and how she went about building a healthier relationship with food. “I used to think I just had no willpower,” Emma begins her inspirational post. “But my ADHD made things harder in ways I didn’t even realize for a long time,” she writes as she shares how she overcame the challenges.

Emma changed her relationship with food

Emma was fixated on one meal or snack, consuming it every day for weeks until she could no longer tolerate it. This made her feel trapped, skipping meals or grabbing strange foods she wasn’t particular about. “I’d get obsessed with one meal or snack and eat it every day for weeks until I couldn’t even look at it anymore. Then I’d feel stuck and end up skipping meals or grabbing random stuff I didn’t enjoy,” she wrote on social media platform Instagram.

She began to plan 2-3 changing meal choices, with variety without feeling bogged down.

ADHD made it challenging for Emma to notice hunger signs

She might go hours without eating, only to gorge herself later. Sometimes, she ate beyond fullness just because she wasn’t focusing.
She set timers and monitored her hunger signs frequently and that helped her eat before getting too hungry.

She stopped eating out of boredom

Boredom usually caused Emma to eat frequently, even when she wasn’t hungry. She understood it wasn’t about the food but about wanting stimulation, which made her feel guilty and frustrated. She learned how to tune in to herself and take care of her real needs rather than turning to food as a distraction.

She started pre-checking menus

Emma would get stressed out when confronted with too many food choices, particularly at restaurants, and make quick decisions she later regretted. She started pre-checking menus and maintaining a rotation of default meals to avoid stress.

She stopped impulse snacking

“I would walk into the kitchen and grab something on autopilot not even realizing I was waiting until it was gone,” she writes. “Now I pause before eating and ask myself, “Do I actually want this right now?”

She aimed for balanced meals

“I’d eat perfectly all day, then binge at night. It felt like I undid all my progress in one sitting and the guilt hit hard,” wrote Emma. “I stopped labeling food as good or bad. I eat balanced meals with things I enjoy so I never feel deprived,” she writes.

Through making these conscious shifts, Emma transformed her body, but also the way she views food, and has shown that long-term success can be found with sustainable habits. “Even now after losing 160 pounds, I still struggle with a lot of this. The difference is… I’ve learned how to manage it. I’ve learned how to pause, show myself compassion, and stop expecting perfection and on the days when my brain still wins, I don’t punish myself for it anymore. I just get back up and try again,” shares Emma.
Read Emma’s post here:

If you have a weight loss story to share, send it to us at toi.health1@gmail.com These views are not generic in nature. Weight loss results vary for individuals and the views shared in this article offer no guarantee of specific results. The content is not intended in any way as a substitute for professional advice.

Bukhara at the National Crafts Museum, Delhi
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Step back in time to the 19th Century, where the hues and patterns of Central Asian textiles flourished along the Silk Route, beside spices, precious metals, glassware, horses, and cultural ideas. Bukhara, a city along the route, was at the heart of this textile tradition.

Inspired by this rich history is Bukhara — A Journey on the Silk Route, an exhibition curated by David Housego and Mandeep Nagi, founders of the textile brand Shades of India. This showcase of their private collection was previously presented at the National Crafts Museum, Delhi and is now making its way to Chennai.

Bukhara exhibition in New Delhi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The focus of this showcase is suzani embroideries and ikat fabrics from the 19th Century that reflect the rich legacy of the Silk Route — drawing on motifs from Mughal India, China, and the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. “There was an exhibition in Paris last year on Uzbekistan and Central Asian antiquities, and I thought, if there can be a big exhibition at the Louvre, why can’t we do an exhibition here of the suzani rugs and ikats? People here are not very familiar with these fabrics,” says David.

“I have been a collector of suzanis and ikats for quite some time. It began when I lived in Iran, and I was struck by their aesthetic sense, their colours, and their abstract designs — almost like contemporary paintings. During my travels in Afghanistan as a journalist, I came across these wonderful suzanis and was able to buy one or two of them,” says David, speaking about how his fascination with these textiles began.

David and Mandeep Housego – Shades of India. Bukhara exhibition in New Delhi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The Chennai showcase will feature 26 pieces of suzani rugs and ikat cloaks, among other fabrics, with some being displayed for the first time. “You’ll see at the exhibition that we’ve got a number of cloaks which, in the 19th Century, were a sign of wealth in Uzbekistan,” says David.

These textiles must be seen up close to be truly appreciated. Mandeep says, “The techniques and stitches used are very much like those found in India, such as chain stitch and satin stitch, but there is a very peculiar stitch they used — a twisted chain stitch. The yarns are also silk and dyed in natural colours. When these things are done instinctively rather than commercially, they have their own charm. You will see a variation of patterns and colours in the suzanis. These stitches are still practiced, but the finesse and organic nature is missing.” .

David Housego and Mandeep Nagi, the founders of textile brand Shades of India
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Speaking about the specific motifs and symbols to look for, David mentions that suzanis were traditionally crafted before weddings and carried symbols like pomegranates, which symbolised fertility. “You will also spot rounded shapes like the moon and sun, which are believed to represent cosmic influence.”

India has a rich history of ancient textiles that have been extensively studied. However, textiles influenced by Indian handiwork remain rare, according to the husband-wife duo. “I think there’s a mystery about it. Indians have seen a lot of Kanjivaram and Banaras textiles, but these are rare,” says David.

Bukhara will be on display at The Folly, Amethyst, from April 8 to 11, from 11am to 7.30pm.

On the crossroads where street fashion meets cricket, clothing brand HUEMN has launched a collection that charts a new trend in the realm of athleisure with its nuanced yet functional approach towards design. The brand, which is known to have collaborated with beverage and automobile companies, also artists, has now teamed up with ace cricketer Shreyas Iyer. Incorporating elements from Shreyas’s personal wardrobe, particularly checks. The collection also pays tribute to the athlete’s professional prowess, which has earned him the nickname Fiyer (a homonym for fire, derived from prefixing F with the cricketer’s surname Iyer).

Shreyas Iyer x HUEMN collection incorporates elements from Shreyas’s personal wardrobe
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

“I’ve always been a huge fan of HUEMN’s work, and I think our association was a natural progression of that admiration. My team at RISE Worldwide reached out to HUEMN with the idea of creating a capsule collection. Looking at the final product line, I’m absolutely thrilled with the way it has worked out. I believe it was sometime last year when we first started discussing the project,” says Shreyas, while elaborating on how he came to be associated with the clothing brand. Shreyas adds, “From my early days, I have developed a sense of fashion and how I would like my clothing to be. So when the opportunity came, it was but natural for me to provide my inputs in curating the Shreyas Iyer x HUEMN capsule collection. From conceptualising the designs to selecting the fabrics and colours, I quite enjoyed those interactions with the HUEMN design team to ensure that the collection reflected my personality and style.”

The collaboration was sparked by cricket’s global resonance and Shreyas’s consistently stellar performance
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Pranav Misra, co-founder and creative director of HUEMN, shares that the collaboration was sparked by cricket’s global resonance and Shreyas’s consistently stellar performance. “We began crafting the collection around October last year, a process that spanned nearly six months with back-and-forth on ideas and designs. Also we wanted the collection to be launched in tune with the cricket calender,” he explains. The collection was launched last month, just in time for the IPL.

The Shreyas Iyer x HUEMN capsule collection brings together oversized silhouettes, earthy tones
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

The Shreyas Iyer x HUEMN capsule collection brings together oversized silhouettes, earthy tones, fire and thunder motifs, and Shreyas’s iconic jersey number 96 to create a wardrobe for movement — on and off the field. With HUEMN’s signature mud wash and Dreamers & Doers Club badge (the club is HUEMN’s series of collections dedicated to dreamers and achievers from different fields for their work), the collection embodies the relentless mindset of those who refuse to be boxed in.

Designing at HUEMN begins with a dialogue
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Of the curatorial process and the collection’s moodboard, Pranav shares that designing at HUEMN begins with a dialogue. “We first write the ideas down and then get to the designing or visual aspect of it, which is followed by graphic details. In this collection it was crucial to introduce Shreyas’s personal style, particularly his fascination for checks. So, we received many sketches from his team too. Therefore, you may as well spot checks transforming into fire (Fiyer) and then the insignia of SI (the cricketer’s initials) on the garments, where ‘I’ has three stumps,” informs Pranav.

The collection, made with 100% cotton
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

The collection, made with 100% cotton, includes t-shirts, jerseys, oversized shirts, panel denims made with reconstruction technique, and cotton-and-wool-blend joggers which can be worn while working out and even when heading for a movie. “For me, my fashion statement needs to reflect versatility, comfort, and self-expression. I wanted the collection to be a part of my personality — driven by self-belief and a desire to make a statement. We experimented with bold colours, unique fabrics, and innovative designs to create a truly distinctive collection,” says Shreyas.

Pranav Mishra
| Photo Credit:
Special arrangement

Based in Delhi, HUEMN has a design-cum-studio in Saket. But it outsources garment manufacturing to many other factories. Though it has nearly 30 people in its core team, the brand employs about 200 people for production of every collection. “We don’t have a brick-and-mortar store yet, but our website serves as our hub. Discounts aren’t part of our model — we avoid overproduction entirely. Most of the finer details, beyond screen printing, high-definition printing, and heat pressing, are crafted by hand. For instance, the mud print in this collection is hand-painted, while the insignia and Shreyas’s signatures feature intricate zardosi and aari detailing,” he explains.

While Pranav believes that India’s street fashion is at the cusp of change, the one where streetwear will get “more sophisticated”, detaching from its intrinsic “rebellious character”, he is hopeful that fashion enthusiasts may just see the trend in new light in coming days.

The Shreyas Iyer x HUEMN capsule collection offers 17 styles starting at ₹4,000 and is available on huemn.in

Nilam Ben Parikh, Gandhiji’s Great Grand DaughterCreator: Neha & Chittaranjan Desai via Flickr

The great-granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Nilamben Parikh, passed away peacefully at her home in Gujarat’s Navsari on April 1, 2025. She was 92 years old. Apart from being known as Mahatma Gandhi’s great-granddaughter, Nilamben Parikh helped many tribal women through her organisation and was also an author. She was known for her famous book about the complicated relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his eldest son, Harilal, who was also her grandfather.
Speaking of her death, her son, Dr. Sameer Parikh, who is an eye doctor in Navsari, told The Indian Express, “My mother was not sick, but in the last few days, she had stopped eating much because of her age. She had severe osteoporosis and was slowly becoming weaker. This morning, I decided to stay with her instead of going to my hospital. I sat beside her, held her hand, and slowly felt her pulse fade… she passed away without pain or suffering.”
All about Nilamben Parikh: A life dedicated to service
Throughout her life, Nilamben Parikh followed the Gandhian principles and she extensively worked for the betterment of tribal women through Dakshinapatha- an organisation she started. She worked to educate them and teach them skills so they could become financially independent. She continued this work until she retired roughly 30 years ago.
Despite her frail health, Nilamben Parikh was known for her inner strength and her deep commitment to wearing Khadi. Remembering her, her cousin and historian Tushar Gandhi told the Indian Express, “She spent her entire life teaching in tribal areas. Even though she was physically weak, her moral strength shined through her personality. She was gentle but firm in her beliefs, and she was always kind.” He shared that they had a big age-gap because of which he considered her more of an elder in the family, and not just a cousin.

Her work as a writer
Nilamben Parikh was the daughter of Ramiben, the eldest of Harilal Gandhi and Gulab’s five children. Harilal Gandhi was Mahatma Gandhi’s eldest son, and the two had a troubled father-son relationship. It was after she watched a Marathi play titled ‘Gandhi Virudh Gandhi’, which focused on the difficult relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and Harilal, that Nilamben Parikh decided to tell the full story and share her perspective about them. And so, she wrote her book, ‘Gandhi’s Lost Jewel: Harilal Gandhi‘, whic was later made into a Hindi film titled ‘Gandhi My Father‘ in 2007.
She also wrote another book about Mahatma Gandhi’s letters to his daughters-in-law, called ‘Jyan Raho Tyan Mehekta Raho’ (which is roughly translated to ‘Spread Your Fragrance Wherever You Live’)– a message Gandhi had once given them.
Nilamben Parikh’s death is a huge loss to Indian’s rich history.

House of Klothberg
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A blue wall with murals of cheerful sunflowers and dapper-looking girls has become an Instagrammable spot on Harrington Road.

Beyond this vibrant facade lies the House of Klothberg which is a boutique, cafe, and ice cream parlour all rolled into one. The ground floor houses clothes, shoes and accessories — made in-house and sourced from European markets. There are boots in bubblegum pink and sober white, stilletos in lime green, envelope clutches in silver, straw hats with bows and frayed edges, and outfits in varying silhouettes, colours and prints. At one end of the store is a large mural of a girl created using waste denim. “We are on our way to becoming 100% sustainable. Right now we have a lot of jute-based products, bamboo-based clothing and upcycled fabric. The Autumn ‘26 collection will have vegan leather made from pomegranate and mango-based leather,” says Rajiv Raj Jagasia, founder, House of Klothberg. Eighty per cent of the collection is made in India in factories in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Chennai, Bengaluru, Noida and incorporate Tencels and Indian cotton, a well as natural dyes.

Rajiv studied Fashion and did his Masters at Amsterdam Fashion Institute in the Netherlands. He lived there for seven years, researching on upcycling, and eventually started Klothberg in Amsterdam. He then moved back to Chennai and started House of Klothberg this year. “While in Amsterdam, I was a vegan acivist. After coming back, I wanted to combine conscious clothing and conscious food habits,” says Rajiv.

The interiors feature tables, murals and mats created using upcyled materials
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

At the House of Klothberg’s Vegan Fashion Cafe, Chef Naga Arjun is on a mission to prove that vegan food can be fun and full of flavour. Experimenting with this menu, allowed him to bring his creativity to the fore. So, when the first dish is placed in front of me, I am a little confused. It looks like avakkai, tastes like it, but after two forkfuls I realise it is avocado masquerading as avakkai. This is the avocado tartare, one of the bestsellers here. The dish gets its tartness and flavour from yuzu and alphonso puree along with shiso dressing and tapioca crisps for texture.

“It took me four months to finalise this menu. We are bringing in flavours from Japan and Peru and will keep updating the menu,” says Arjun who trained and worked in Lithuania. The cafe wants diners to know that vegan food is a lot more than just tofu and almond milk. To prove this, the next dish served is a wakame salad made with seaweed kelp, house-marinated sauce, cucumber, daikon radish and jalapeno sauce. With its many shades of green, it looks like a terrarium in a bowl and is perfectly refreshing on this balmy afternoon. While the palate is largely European and Asian, there are a few Indian touches in the form sourdough pizzas with tandoori sauce, topped with chunks of soya and jackfruit mock meat.

“We will also introduce mock meat versions of shrimps and fish,” says Rajiv.

The vegan cafe also has European and Japanese dishes
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

After a hearty meal, I head for some gelato to the mezzanine level. This space is awash in pastel colours and more murals. After the usual hard decision of choosing from almost 15 flavours — raspberry sorbet, pistachio, coconut, matcha, and espresso among others, all made with almond milk — I settle for my usual dark chocolate. As far as gelatos go, this one is hard and frozen, and the first dollop strangely slides off the cone and lands on the floor. Cradling the second helping, I find a place by the large window. Tables are few but you can find seating outdoors under thatched umbrellas that give the feeling of being away on a vacation by the sea.

House of Klothberg is located at New no 17, Old no 9, Harrington Road, Chetpet.

Anil Kumar Kannangal during his trek to Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

When Anil Kumar Kannangal landed at Mineralnye Vody Airport in Russia last year on the way to climb Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe, he was in for a shock. The security guards took him into custody, accusing him of being a spy on his way to Poland. After several rounds of questioning and a thorough examination of his emails and gadgets, Anil was let off, upon the assurance given by the Russian friend of his Nepali guide.

That was one among the many unforgettable episodes in Anil’s life as a mountaineer when he is not working as a clerk at Brahmos branch of Canara Bank in Thiruvananthapuram. Recalling the incident in Russia, Anil says, “The attack on a concert hall in Moscow had happened a few months back. Security was at its peak and all foreign nationals came under scrutiny. That was why I was also questioned.”

Ever since he took up mountaineering a few years ago, Anil, a retired Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel, has found himself getting more attached to it. He is now on a mission to climb the highest peaks on the seven continents, having already summitted three of them — Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mount Elbrus (Europe) and Mount Aconcagua (South America).

Anil Kumar Kannangal at the Everest Base Camp
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

“I have been passionate about mountaineering and went for treks and expeditions while in service. After retirement, I used to take part in marathons and cycling expeditions,” says Anil, who took voluntary retirement from IAF in 2014.

When he decided to scale the peaks, he started out with Agasthyarkoodam in the Western Ghats, one of the major trekking spots in Kerala. It was a successful attempt and he went on to trek summit peaks such as Varayadumotta, Kurishumala, and Kalimala among others.

“There is an excitement in the preparation and process involved in a climb. Once I got the hang of mountaineering, I wished to get a glimpse of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. For that I did a trek to the Everest Base Camp in 2023. The climb was tough, but I enjoyed it. After that I started interacting with mountaineers and that’s how I chose Kilimanjaro as my next goal. When I achieved that I wondered what if I attempted to summit the remaining six peaks as well.”

Anil Kumar Kannangal at Mount Kilimanjaro
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Anil joined social media groups of mountaineers. From Kerala he got the guidance and help from fellow mountaineers such as IAS officer Arjun Pandian, the present District Collector of Thrissur, and Sheikh Hassan, a Kerala government employee, who is the first Malayali to conquer the seven summits.

Anil plans to climb Mount Kosciuszko in Australia in September or October this year, followed by Mount Denali (North America), Mount Vinson (Antarctica) and finally Mount Everest. “The forthcoming treks are going to be expensive when compared to the ones I have already done. The cost would come between ₹15 and ₹50 lakhs, which is a matter of concern. Friends and family had chipped in to fund the previous trips.”

Anil Kumar Kannangal during his trek to Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Each journey has been unpredictable, he notes. “In all my trips, I had to deal with flight diversions that forced me to reschedule my journey.”

The 50-year-old stresses that all treks have had challenges as well as exciting moments. “If it was a journey through snow in the case of Mount Elbrus, climbing Kilimanjaro involved crossing different climatic zones — farmland, tropical forest with huge trees, plateau, desert, moorland, and glacier. Surprises were in store everyday. When we crossed Andes, the mountain range where Mount Aconcagua is located, we had to walk through desert for around 14 hours,” says Anil.

Anil Kumar Kannangal atop Mount Elbrus
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

He points out that one challenge for mountaineers from India is that there are only a few officially registered trekking companies in the country and they do not directly handle the itinerary. “It is done by agents in respective countries. But in Europe the companies directly cater to everything.”

Anil Kumar Kannangal standing near a giant groundsel at Mount Kilimanjaro
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Anil admits that it has not been easy to balance his passion and profession. “When I take leave, the workload on my colleagues increases. But they have been understanding and supportive.”

The late Dame Vivienne Westwood, the British designer who dragged punk and new-wave fashion into the mainstream in the 1970s, once quipped, “Popular culture is a contradiction in terms. If it’s popular, it’s not culture.” Her disdain for conformity and her love for rebellion were the hallmarks of a career that redefined style as a form of dissent. “Democratic envy,” as she termed it, made people dress alike simply to belong. She preferred dressing for herself — even if no one else approved.

A model walks down the runway at the Vivienne Westwood show in Mumbai
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

A model walks down the runway at the Vivienne Westwood show in Mumbai
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

That ethos lingered in the air at Vivienne Westwood’s recent show in Mumbai, staged against the dramatic backdrop of the Gateway of India. The venue — last seen hosting Dior’s pre-Fall showcase in 2023 — came with weighty expectations. Where Dior offered polished precision, Westwood delivered something else entirely: looser, moodier, and far less structured.

Khadi and chanderi fabrics were used in creating the capsule collection
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Secrecy surrounded the event. There was no pre-show buzz and invites were sent out last minute. A passing drizzle left the air sultry and thick with tension.

The collaboration

The collection, which featured a few archival pieces, was born of a collaboration with Vivz Fashion School in Pune and Aaranya, an initiative led by Priyadarshini Scindia, of the erstwhile royal family of Gwalior. Aaranya’s mission: to preserve traditional crafts, especially Chanderi, famous in Madhya Pradesh, through modern design interventions. Also in the mix was khadi, supplied by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory body established by the Government of India in 1957. Together, these collaborations were meant to champion craft preservation, sustainability, and cultural exchange.

The effervescent gown
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

According to Carlo D’Amario, CEO of Vivienne Westwood, the show’s inception began with his visit to India last year, hosted by Priyadarshini. The trip rekindled memories of his travels through Goa in the 1970s, and coincided with his growing interest in India’s burgeoning luxury market — currently valued at $8 billion and projected to reach $14 billion by 2032.

The model lineup
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

In a poetic twist, the Gateway of India itself features jaali work sourced from Gwalior, linking the royal collaborator to the setting.

The idea for the show reportedly crystallised during Carlo’s keynote at Vivz last year. “He fell in love with India — its textiles, its stories,” recalls Vivek Pawar, the school’s founder-director. But translating that love into garments was not straightforward. Getting khadi and Chanderi to the Westwood studio in Italy meant navigating red tape. “The fabric had to have structure,” Vivek explains. “It wasn’t just about heritage; it needed to hold up on the runway.”

The fabrics certainly delivered on texture and lightness. Carlo was especially taken by Chanderi’s airiness. “I was gobsmacked,” he said. “It felt just right — for India, and for the brand.”

But the garments themselves were less convincing. Creative director Andreas Kronthaler —Westwood’s long-time collaborator and husband — focussed on ease and modernity. The result was a collection anchored by handspun khadi, ethereal Chanderi, flourishes of chiffon, hints of tartan, and the brand’s signature petal flower headpiece. But the silhouettes felt restrained. The repetitive boat-neck corset dress, already seen on Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor, became the collection’s default form: pretty, but predictable. The edge that once defined Westwood was softened into something safe.

The soundtrack did not help. A jarring mix of Indian classical music and Alisha Chinai’s ‘Boom Boom’ felt more kitsch than counterculture — less rebellion, more runway theatre. Rather than elevating the clothes, the music muddled their message.

Though the choice of textiles — khadi from KVIC and Chanderi from Aaranya — was rooted in legacy, it felt more like a symbolic gesture than a bold statement. The garments borrowed Westwood’s visual cues, but missed her unmistakable voice.

The strategy

Still, the show marked a distinct shift in the house’s strategy. Carlo summed it up: “Magazines are great, fashion houses are great, but it’s politics that gets things moving.” The brand now seems to be leaning into State-supported collaborations, cultural diplomacy, and global craft partnerships. Remarkably, the show was reportedly pulled together in under a month — proof of sharp coordination behind the scenes.

Let us not forget: Westwood’s defining collections — Pirate (1981), Mini-Crini (1985), Anglomania (1993) — did not just play with form. They were provocations. She fused chaos with couture, rage with elegance, and protest with pageantry. Climate change, anti-capitalism, consumerism: nothing was off-limits.

The Mumbai showcase was ambitious in scope and symbolic in spirit. But it lacked the rupture, the recklessness, the radical flair that once made Westwood’s runways a battlefield. It was, in the end, a respectful tribute. But perhaps a little too polite.

Clear and direct communication is important for workplace success. Be articulate of your thoughts while communicating with your colleagues– whether in emails, meetings, or casual discussions. Avoid gossiping at work, as this would make people disprespect you and not take you seriously. Remember to react less, and respond more as this would make you appear more professional. Using polite language, maintaining a respectful tone, and ensuring your messages are concise yet informative will show your professionalism.
Also, instead of only focussing at speaking, try to be an active listener– this is also an important part of communicating and connecting with others.